SJX is closed for now…and until we get permission from the county and state to open up.This is a difficult time for all of us, but we will make it and come out even stronger.I will be blogging frequently during this time. We will have linksto videos Coach Cristan has been working on, along with updates on

As you know, one of the things we work on the most at San Jose Express is the kick.

We spend a lot of time coaching it and having you do it. It's critical to catching, throwing, positioning, and moving. If you don't have a good kick, it's very very difficult to be a good water polo player.

We frequently call it an "egg beater" kick. This comes back from the olden days (like the 60s!). It sounds good, it's easy to say and it kinda describes how to do the kick.

But it's wrong.

In an eggbeater kick, the lower leg circles around the knee. This does provide some lift and stability. Unfortunately, it doesn't provide the explosiveness and power that water polo players need.

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Check out the picture above.

You can see how the feet make little circles below the knee. If you just wanted to tread water, this might be the easiest kick to do.

It's also the kick that most of the other teams use. Don't be like the other teams.

As you know, a water polo player needs to move quickly and suddenly. You need to get up high and fast.

You want to use a "water polo kick".

As you can see in this picture, the legs aren't going around. they are moving forcefully down from the hip to being almost fully extended.

This powerful downward thrust gives you the power that you need to get up high, shoot the ball and control your opponents.

It is much better than the "eggbeater" kick.

It also takes a little more practice and concentration especially if you've been doing it wrong.

So while you're home watching TV, get on the floor, lift your legs and start practicing doing a water polo kick.

You can also do squats and lunges in your dryland program to develop the strength you need.

Athletes need both strength and technique. Improve both so that when we come back (we will!), we are ready to take our game to the highest levels.